If you want to stay ahead of the game, then you have to be ahead of the game, and that is the message that emanates from Right Price Tiles, who can bring customers the latest advice on styles and trends on tiles and flooring from around the globe.
Right Price Tiles has been some success story. It is a franchise operation run by husband and wife team Cyril and Sharon McCluskey — and next May, they mark 19 years in business.
Something which really sets this business apart from its competitors is the expertise of its staff and the fact that the the majority of items on-line and on display in the showroom are stocked in the massive warehouse to the rear of the premises at Oranmore.
This means no waiting for your order to be imported. The tiles you want will be in the warehouse in Oranmore or the headquarters in Cork so you can start tiling almost straight away, with expert advice and guidance from the team led by manager Tony Houlihan.
"The company prides itself on having more than 95 per cent of stock available to take away from Monday to Saturday. This means customers have no waiting time and once purchased can take items with them on the day or arrange to have them delivered at a date convenient, giving a very efficient service to make their building or renovating project as hassle free as possible," he says.
He paid tribute to the expertise of his staff in being able to ensure customers get the best tiles in styles that will make their homes look beautiful.
"We offer advice and guide them when they need our help. People still want our help to pick out what's nice and we give them the best advice we can. We have to be honest with them and this has proven successful for Right Price Tiles. Most people are very happy to get your advice, when they see the finished product, they know they are getting the benefit of our knowledge."
"Invariably, people check our website before they come in to us, but we always advise them to come in and feel the product, to get a better sense of it, and that helps give them a truer picture of what they are buying.
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"Programmes like Dermot Bannon's Room To Improve are influencing people as well and that is great. They see things that they like and they want to buy it. When customers come in here, we have the tiles there for people to feel, to walk upon.
"Years ago, tile stores would have just had a few tiles on a board against a wall. Now, we have bigger and more impressive displays to show how they work in a bigger setting, and that's the way it should be. Customers deserve to get the best product, the best advice on how they look, how they can be fitted and how they will last," said Tony, who has been with the company for 15 years and really knows his stuff when it comes to tiles and flooring.
Right Prices Tiles and Wood Flooring in the Oranmore Business Park, has possibly the largest range of tiles to be found in Galway. The impressive 9,300 square feet showroom and warehouse is located behind the Maldron Hotel, so there is no need to battle the traffic of the city centre. You simply pull in, enjoy ample free parking at the front of the building, browse to your heart's content, pick out your choices, load up, and go home satisfied. It is literally as simple as that.
They currently stock an impressive range of bathroom wear including the most contemporary designed in cabinets, taps, sink and units, walk-in showers — and displays of tiles that would help you create the ultimate wet room in your home.
Tony also told me how the advance of technology is aiding the development of flooring and tiles.
"We currently stock high quality vinyl flooring such as that from Krono Xonic. It is ideal for residential and commercial projects, which comes with a 30 year residential and five year commercial warranty. It is highly durable and is dust and dirt repellent. Even tricky stains such as red wine, oil, vinegar, citric acid, and nail polish can be easily removed.
"All Krono Xonic floors have integrated sound insulation. This reduces impact sound, echoes and vibrations, and ensures comfortable room acoustics with enhanced walking comfort. The flooring works well in kitchens and bathrooms as it is waterproof, with ABC anti-bacterial coating, and has a high load bearing capacity. So flooring is benefitting from increased technology. Even in terms of wet rooms, you can get trays for an upstairs wet room that will ensure there are no leaks; and vinyl flooring that absorbs excessive sound.
"At Right Price Tiles, we are fortunate that we have experienced buyers based at our headquarters in Cork. They are on top of all the new trends and styles that come out from the global markets where tiles and flooring is made such as Spain, Italy, Portugal, India, Chine, and more. So, Right Price Tiles is always able to bring the customer the latest in product, but also the latest in knowledge.
"In terms of trends, over there past few years, there is a move towards greys for the wood effect tiles, the polished tiles, the bathroom tiles, the wall tiles. There are some fantastic shades of it available," he said.
He said that this year, they are seeing more and more people coming in with full houses to be tiled and floors and that this is an indication of a busyness in the housing market, although it is nothing like the craziness of the boom. "Not everyone is trying to be a builder too, so customers can avail of our recommendations for good tilers who will show off their tiles in the way they they intend."
When I spoke with Tony, he was much in demand as another set of customers lined up to get his advice. I watched as they departed happy, with their tiles ordered, and their dreams of a beautiful home inspired. And that is what they do at Right Price Tiles — they help create memorable homes for people, bringing happiness.
Right Price Tiles and Wood Flooring is open seven days a week, with Sunday opening from 2pm to 5.30pm, a popular time for busy professionals and parents who cannot find the time to shop during the week.
For more information call 091 792972, or visit Right Price Tiles at the Oranmore Business Park, behind the Maldron Hotel.
